Australia and European Union sign security and defence agreement

Australia has signed a new Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the Australia‑European Union Security and Defence Partnership in Canberra.

This, together with the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, is a key aspect of the two partners’ growing strategic relationship, said the Australian government in a media release.

“Building on our already strong defence industry ties, the partnership will also create new defence procurement opportunities for Australian and European businesses,” it adds. 

“For Australian businesses at the forefront of defence technology and innovation, this partnership will deepen our relationships and lay the groundwork for new opportunities that will further support Australia’s industry and workforce,” said Richard Marles. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.

The wide-ranging partnership will boost cooperation across defence industry, cyber, economic security, counter-terrorism, combatting all forms of hatred, and countering hybrid threats.

The partnership agreement was signed by Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the European Union High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas. Under the partnership, Australia and the European Union will:

• Increase information sharing to counter global threats
• Build the capacity to manage, and the resilience to withstand, complex security threats in their respective regions
• Deepen cooperation to combat online radicalisation and terrorism financing
• Establish a new space security dialogue